Carlsbad school board member Simon Rubio, left, Carlsbad Superintendent Dr. Gregory Rodriguez, and president of the Carlsbad School board David Shoup listen to public comments May 15.(Photo: Jessica Onsurez Current-Argus)Buy Photo

A decision by administrators at Carlsbad Municipal Schools to preclude incoming freshmen to the Early College High School from extracurricular activities has drawn criticism from parents and students alike.

Carlsbad Intermediate School student Halle Barney told members of the Carlsbad Municipal School Board that the decision affected her future.

"I was told that I could do both but now I can't. I do not know why, or how people can look at the seniors at the Early College – how they have excelled so well – and still want to change the program," Barney said during a public comment period at Tuesday's board meeting.

Barney said she considered the Early College High School, which her sister – a cheerleader – attended, a feasible option for her future, until she heard of the decision.

The Early College High School allows students to earn dual degrees — a high school diploma and an associate's degree — by attending both high school courses and New Mexico State University Carlsbad at the same time.

Dr. Gregory Rodriguez, superintendent of Carlsbad Municipal Schools, told the Current-Argus that students who were promised the ability to participate in extracurricular activities under the prior superintendent's administration would be allowed to do so.

Those students number over 100, according to Tonk Chester, a member of the Early College High School's advisory council.

"Right now there are over 100 students that participate in activities through Carlsbad High School. A lot of them are sophomores and seniors," Chester said at the meeting.

"Please reconsider, and challenge those kids, and have them come up with some solutions."